Richard Romero's Autobiography:
Ever since I can remember, I have always had a passion and fascination for the martial arts.
I first began my journey in the martial arts at the age of six. I studied two different styles of Karate as a
young boy, but I never really found a martial arts school that met my needs as a martial artist until I found
the Kali Academy of Martial Arts-Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute in Whittier, California. It was there, at the age
of 12 in 1995 that I began studying and training under Sifu/Guro Bud Thompson and I have been there to this day.
When I began my training at the Kali Academy, it was as if my eyes were being opened for the first time to the vast
breadth and depth of everything the martial arts had to offer. I saw for the first time that the martial arts had
so much to offer in the way of practical, applicable, and efficient self-defense techniques that would actually work
in real altercations. By training in the techniques and approaches of different martial disciplines, which included
Western Boxing, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Kali, Wing Chun Gung Fu, Jun Fan Gung Fu, and Jeet Kune Do, I became very
proficient in defending myself in all of the ranges of combat and in many different ways. The instruction I
received gave me the knowledge and confidence to take care of myself in a variety of situations and with a variety
of opponents. Furthermore, at the Kali Academy I was also challenged intellectually to become a well-rounded martial
artist and person by exploring how all of the various techniques, approaches, and philosophies of the different
martial disciplines I had learned at the Academy were connected. I learned how each martial discipline complemented
and made each other even more effective.
At the age of 17 in the year 2000, Sifu/Guro Bud Thompson awarded me my first Instructor's Certificate. In 2004, I
received my second Instructor's Certificate. I credit the instruction and training I have received at the Kali Academy
with teaching me to persevere, to push myself to the limits, to stay focused, to work hard, and to have self-discipline.
I look forward to continuing my journey in the martial arts and to what my journey has in store for me.
Richard Romero
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